Florida is a place that has so much to offer tourists from all over the world. From the theme parks to the beaches, it is the ultimate holiday destination. Nevertheless, with so much to se and do, you will need to plan your trip effectively to ensure you do not miss out on anything. With that in mind, read on to discover some useful tips on making the most of your trip to Florida.

Advice on visiting the theme parks: Needless to say, one of the things that Florida is most famous for is the selection of theme parks. It is likely that you will want to visit one or several throughout the duration of your stay, from the Walt Disney Resort to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. What a lot of people do not realise is that you will not get your entry any cheaper by booking a package. The best thing to do is look for advertised deals and to book your theme park passes in advance. Walt Disney World consists of four different parks, and you will probably need a day at each, as well as a day at Universal Studios. The park hopper option is another to consider.

Accommodation in Florida: One of the best things about Florida is that there is accommodation to suit all people and all budgets. This includes popular hotels like the TRYP by Wyndham Sebastian St. Augustine, as well as motels and B&Bs. You can also find lavish hotels and villas too. Take your time to research accommodation carefully before booking. You will want something that is in fairly easy reach of all of the activities you are planning.

Guide to the beaches in Florida: Last but not least, aside from the theme parks, the beaches in Florida are famed. There are so many beaches to choose from, so you will probably want to give this a bit of thought before you travel. There is only one place to start and this is with South Beach, which is in Miami. You can expect Art Deco architecture, flashy cars, and beautiful people around this area. It is a touristy and busy section, but a lot of people cannot go to Florida without experiencing it. If you want to enjoy scuba diving, snorkelling and other under sea activities, Grayton Beach State Park is a great spot. For nature trials, Fort De Soto Park impresses. For a quieter area and epic sunsets, the undeveloped, mile-long Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park beach is one to consider.

All in all, there is so much to see and do in Florida, which is why it is a good idea for you to plan your trip effectively. Consider all of the spots you want to visit beforehand, but make sure you leave a bit of time for some spontaneous exploring too. After all, you will probably discover more things to see and enjoy once you arrive. 

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If you’re planning a vacation and you’re trying to come up with something different to do, take your head out of the clouds and place it firmly in the ocean! Did you know that over 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is water? Yet, how much time do we take to explore its depths? The average person spends very little time in the water, which is a shame because it is home to some very unique sights and amazing experiences. 

If you’re interested in exploring underwater, here are some of the best aquatic experiences on the planet:

See Grenada’s Underwater Sculpture Park

The best thing about exploring underwater is, of course, the beauty of nature that we don’t usually get to see in our everyday lives. That being said, us humans have a good track record of creating our own beauty, and that is very evident at the Underwater Sculpture Park in Grenada. Founded in 2006, the park, which is located underwater at Molinere Bay, is basically an artificial reef created out of various unique sculptures, which also attract plenty of natural wonders, including fish and dolphins, too! It’s a seriously magical place that everyone should make the effort to see at least once in their lifetime!

Go Scalloping in Florida

If you want to stay in the United States, but the pull of the ocean is too much for you to ignore, one rather unique trip you might consider taking is open to Homosassa, where you can partake in one of the many scalloping excursion trips that take place there. You’ll need nothing more than a good bathing suit, and snorkelling mask, which will enable you to explore the warm under waters of the state, where as well as seeing and collecting your own scallops, which you’ll be able to eat later, there’s a good chance you’ll see plenty of other aquatic animals too!

Stay at Fiji’s Underwater Resort

If you want to spend more than a couple of hours enjoying the exotic sights of the underwater world, then you simply must fly out to Fiji where you can stay at The Poseidon Undersea Resort in a hotel room that is actually located right down on the seafloor. Imagine laying in bed watching all manner of tropical fish float by - you’ll feel like you’re in your very own Disney movie! Even better, by pushing a button in your suite, you’ll be able to feed those beautiful fish for a once in a lifetime experience that you’ll never forget! It really is an amazingly magical place.

Make Friends with Great Whites

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Great white sharks are equally magnificent and terrifying, so if you’re the adventurous type and you’re looking for a unique underwater adventure that you’ll be able to dine out on for years to come, why not book yourself onto a Great White dive? There are numerous places in the world, including California, where you can go down into the water and get up close and personal with the beautiful beasts (don’t worry, you’ll be safely sequestered in a cage) and that is sure to get your heart pumping!

Get Your History Buff on in Israel

If you like the water and you love your history, then it might just be time to start planning a trip to the Caesarea National Park in Israel. There, you will find the Old Caesarea Diving Center, which is basically an underwater archaeological site, where you will be able to see Sebastos, which was built by none other than King Herod himself, over 2000 years ago, in all of its glory. You’ll also see sunken ships, drowned docks and long-lost cargo amongst other things! 

Eat Dinner Underwater in the Maldives

If sleeping with the fishes in Fiji isn’t your thing, what about dining down there instead? You won’t have to spend quite so much time under the water, but you will get to experience its delights close up and personal, and you’ll get a good meal into the bargain too. Where can you do this? At the Conrad Maldives Rangali undersea restaurant - which is the only one of its kind - that’s where!

See a Shipwreck in Australia

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The Yongala is an amazing shipwreck located off the coast of Queensland. Teeming with manta rays, sharks, coral and lots of colorful fish, it is an amazing sight to dive down and explore.

There really is so much beauty to see and so many things to do in our oceans that you’d be remiss not to give at least one of these great adventures a go!

Looking for a real taste of elegance and luxury? There’s no better way to go about it than hiring a private yacht! It gives you a chance to explore a destination in a different way, you get the freedom of being out on the water but with all of the luxuries of a high-end hotel. Here are some of the best destinations to consider if you want to pop on your captain’s hat and spend time on a boat exploring the oceans.

Dubai

If you’ve ever seen photos of Dubai, you’ll notice that many snapped of the gorgeous cityscape are taken from the water. The architecture in Dubai really is something special. From glittering hotels to the world’s tallest building and epic malls- hiring a boat or going on a boat tour allows you the best views of all of this. It will be no trouble finding a yacht for rent, as exploring the waters around this city is popular with tourists. 

Miami

Whether you want a relaxing cruise in the sunshine or a full on yacht party, Miami is the place to do it! Known for its vibrant party scene, you won’t feel out of place with plenty of drinks on ice, music, and dancing from the comfort of your boat. White sands and clear blue waters really do make the destination feel like heaven on earth. 

Croatia

If you’re looking for rich history and breathtaking scenery, then a boating trip in Croatia won’t disappoint. Picturesque stone white buildings with terracotta roofs show a Mediterranean life from a whole other era. The natural harbors, white sandy beaches, and turquoise waters make for a spectacular yachting experience. 

Seeing the Great Barrier Reef is something that lots of people have jotted on their bucket list, and for a good reason. And what better way than to see this natural wonder than in an incredible yacht. If you get lucky, you might even see whale pods migrating for deeper waters while boating in Australia. There are lots of places where you can snorkel and dive here, it really is the trip of a lifetime. 

The Baeleric Islands

The four islands of Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera make for an incredible boating adventure. The golden sandy beaches, lively nightlife, and delicious Spanish cuisine make this a popular area in the world for tourists But it's the clear blue surrounding waters that you really want to make time for on your trip. There are beaches and bays that you can only access by boat, so be sure to include this on your itinerary to see these stunning, secluded areas!

Turkey

Another destination which is rich in history and culture, but the serene bays, idyllic harbors and beautiful waters make it an excellent place to sail and explore the oceans. Expect to see mountains, craggy gulfs, and other dramatic scenery while you’re out on the waters. 

Have you ever been on a sailing holiday? Which one of these destinations most catches your attention?

This post contains affiliate links and was contributed by Alice Fontaine. 

Orlando really is a beautiful place in the world. Stunning weather, friendly locals and beautiful sights make it a destination that everyone should have on their travel bucket list. It’s famous for being the home to Disney and as magical and spectacular as it is there’s actually plenty of other things to do and see that aren’t Disney themed. Here are just a few of them.

Hotels

If you don’t want to go down the Disney route, there are plenty of other hotels to choose from in Orlando. From standard chain hotels to more luxurious options there’s something for every budget. If you book a shuttle service, you’ll be taken directly to your hotel from the airport too which saves money on taxis and gives you peace of mind!

Non - Disney Parks and Attractions

There’s no denying how incredible Disney parks are, but they shouldn’t overshadow some of the other parks and attractions that are available to visit in Orlando. Take Universal Studios, for example, offering rides and experiences which rival that of any Disney park. In Gatorland SeaWorld and Discovery Cove you can have fun on the rides, get up close and personal with fascinating animals and watch animal shows. You could go on a tour of Orlando whether it’s by bus, coach or boat. And for more epic views, ride the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye. This four hundred foot observation wheel has become a part of Orlando’s iconic skyline.

Museums and Galleries

If history and culture is your kind of thing, you won’t be disappointed when visiting Orlando. There are lots of traditional museums and galleries you can walk around, and there are also some very fun and interactive places to both see and learn. Wonderworks, for example, is has over one hundred hands-on science exhibits. Inside you will find everything from laser tag to a rope course and a ‘6D’ motion ride. It’s educational while still being fun, great for kids and teens but something anyone can learn from! Ripley’s Believe it or Not houses a huge collection of oddities, rare items, and other interesting objects. You can see everything from a shrunken head to an authentic vampire killing kit. If you’re into the unusual, this fascinating attraction will be for you! There’s the Titanic Artifact Exhibition where you can see genuine items recovered from the ship, perfect for history buffs! Plus attractions such as Madame Tussauds and the Kennedy Space Center, both fun family days out to keep all ages entertained!

Shopping, Dining, and Nightlife

As with any tourist destination, Orlando has no shortage of shopping malls, restaurants, and clubs. The Mall at Millenia is a luxury shopping mall home to hundreds of designer shops so perfect if you want to splash the cash. For something a little more raw and rustic, you could visit the markets and shop for artisanal products and try out the street food. There are lots of different types of bars and clubs so do your research to work out which will suit you best.

Photo Copyright: Jessica
Stay tune for the music to load ~ A piece of music journey from Tuscany

We started out the journey in Magic Kingdom on the first day of our Disney experience.

I wish I dream. All my wishes come true when the 15 minutes of fireworks begun. Wishes!

The next day we head up to Epcot. The dream maker of future Disney!